Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(独立行政法人宇宙航空研究開発機構,Dokuritsu-gyōsei-hōjin Uchū Kōkū Kenkyū Kaihatsu Kikō?, literally "Independent Administrative Institution on Aerospace Research and Development "), also known as JAXA,[1] is Japan's national space agency.[2]

JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit. JAXA is involved in advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon.[4]